(CNN) – New polls taken before the final presidential debate indicate that the race for the White House is all knotted up between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in two key states.

American Research Group released the surveys on Tuesday in battleground states showing Obama with a slight edge in Nevada, 49% to Romney's 47%, and Romney with the advantage in New Hampshire, 49% to Obama's 47%. But the results are well within the poll's sampling error making it a statistical tie.

The Nevada survey shows Romney gaining ground among men, 49% to the president's 48%. Obama was ahead of Romney among the group in American Research Group's September survey – 49% to 46%.

The poll also shows Romney with the edge among likely voters over the age of 50 in Nevada, 48% to Obama's 47%, compared to last month's poll where Obama led among the group, 51% to Romney's 42%.

Among those saying they have voted early or by absentee ballot, Obama does hold a lead of 57% compared to Romney at 43%.

In New Hampshire, Romney has the advantage over Obama, 49% to 47%, but the president's support has increased slightly among independent or undeclared voters and is now tied with Romney in the group at 48% each. In a survey conducted from October 9-11, Romney was ahead of Obama by a three point margin among undeclared voters, 48% to Obama's 45%. These results are also within the sampling error.

Another survey from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center of likely New Hampshire voters released Monday showed Obama with an eight point lead in the state, with 49% support compared to Romney's 41%. The UNH poll was also taken before the final presidential debate.

Both of the American Research Group's surveys released Tuesday were conducted from October 19-22 from interviews with 600 likely voters in Nevada and New Hampshire, each respectively. The surveys' sampling errors are plus or minus four percentage points.

Nevada has six electoral votes and New Hampshire has four. CNN rates both states as "toss ups" in November's election.

soundoff(18 Responses)

tee1227

What is clear after watching Mitt get taken behind the woodshed last night his numbers will be down trust me.

October 23, 2012 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

truth hurts

The American people are waking up and deciding that another 4 years of the Obama nightmare is NOT a possibility. We can't take 4 more years of failure, personal attacks, divisiveness, name calling, finger pointing, no budgets, no plans, massive deficits, massive debt, Americans being murdered abroad while his administration denies them the security they need.

October 23, 2012 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |

ST

Am tired of polls which look now like fireworks with no pattern. Mixing together registered voters plus those who have voted already, plus likely voters and one expects to get the reality???????

October 23, 2012 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

John, PA

The presidential race is Romney’s to win and win big; Romney is ahead in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and now New Hampshire and Nevada. Romney is pulling the swing voters in California his way; this is going to be a landslide win for Republicans and the Democrats don’t even see it.

Like the second debate, the president looked angry, petty and small on ideas and always ready to jump up and spout more prefabricated rhetoric, Romney was in Osama’s head and had Obama wishing/looking for his beloved teleprompter. The post fact check; Obama was wrong on all points.

October 23, 2012 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |

n

More poll lies from the media.

October 23, 2012 01:07 pm at 1:07 pm |

California Gary

truth hurts........take a deep breath........have a cup of coffee and maybe a sweet roll.......I understand your anxiety after your chosen candidate was exposed last night as a lightweight in foreign policy and world affairs........but it will be ok. We already have a president that is up to speed on all of that, so there is nothing to worry about. The sun will still come up tomorrow, and America will still be a world power. Next time, maybe your party can nominate a serious candidate.

October 23, 2012 01:14 pm at 1:14 pm |

Hope for Change

Obama wants one country divided. However, our pledge of alliance states our country is one nation indivisible.

One half (representing 99%, unions, and the 47% dependant on federal funds to live), versus the other half of 1%, big oil, 53% not dependant on federal funds) does make 100% and one country. Only if we can all rally around Romney. Obama is not know how to unify the USA.

October 23, 2012 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |

California Gary

Darn maps must be out of date.......I've been looking all morning for that path to the sea that runs from Iran through Syria. Has anyone found it yet?

October 23, 2012 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |

gt

big mo is not turning back.....

October 23, 2012 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

Hope for Change

We win. America must win.

Romney / Ryan 2012

October 23, 2012 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |

Frank

Obama is not behind in NH... Trust me. Obama is ahead by a lot in NH... With is this article talking about.

October 23, 2012 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

jqueso

to JohnPA,
Are you looking at the same poll numbers as everyone else? Mutated version of Romnesia maybe. Obamacare will take care of that. Pre existing conditions will still get you covered.

October 23, 2012 01:30 pm at 1:30 pm |

truth hurts

California Gary - We already have a president that is up to speed on all of that, so there is nothing to worry about.
====================================================================================
Yes, with the entire middle east in flames, muslim extremists on the rise, Syria murdering thousands, our ambassadors being murdered in terrorist attacks that Obama refuses to call terrorist attacks because he doesn't believe they exist and Iran continuing its nuclear development unabated.

Yes, I can see that Obama has everything well in hand and all is going well. All that we have left to wait for is Iran to nuke Israel. Of course Obama will just label it a case of work place violence.

October 23, 2012 01:32 pm at 1:32 pm |

chilly g

i watch the debate last night and it was reassurancing to me who best fit to continue to lead this great country and
that is the president, mitt fought a good fight even though he change position on just about everything and was
untruthful about a lot of things. obama 2012 will win and ill be very happy and excited.

October 23, 2012 01:35 pm at 1:35 pm |

Anonymous

Obama is the Commander and Chief! His ability to stay aggressive on issues and stand for the American people is relevant in the 2 debates. Romney was a do nothing Governor in Massachusetts, he is not for women, education, healthcare, gay marriage or creating an economy that we the 99% can prosper for the better. He is for the 1%, this guy inherited money from his parents and will never know what it is really like to struggle and raise a family. I am one of the 47% and am proud to say that I support my kids education and freedom to choose their own paths into their future successes. Take a listen to the story of the young girl who was shot because she wanted an education. Romney will never have to worry that his grandsons or grand daughters will ever be shot by men that will prevent them from being educated. Why doesn't the Romney family go to the Middle East and live these people's lives for a day? This guy is clueless! Obama for 4 more years!!!!!

October 23, 2012 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

GI Joe

Syria has ports on the sea. Afghanistan has ports on the sea.

How does Mitt get the idea Afghanistan needs Syria to get to the sea? He is as knowledgle as Palin. But not more.

October 23, 2012 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Hope for Change

Back in 2008, we hired a community organizer with no foreign policy experience to be the head of the most powerful nation.

How has that worked out for you?

Gas prices doubled

More terrorist attacks on foreign soil

Broken promises to NATO allies

Strained relationship with Israel

Disrespect among our key allies

Failed policies with China and Russia, with bowing to Arab leaders

Destabilized economy and downgrade of our credit rating

We cannot afford 4 more years of this

Romney / Ryan. 2012 – A move towards a better America and a safer world

October 23, 2012 01:58 pm at 1:58 pm |

sayer

If you want to be Commader in Chief, you at least have to know geography, Mitt. Iran borders the Persian Gulf which leads to the Indian Ocean. From there, Iran can go anywhere it wants via the sea. Syria is not the only way for Iran to get to the sea.